Newry musician remembered in “Mike Hike” charity fundraiser

August 5, 2013

Friends of the late Michael O’Hare have come together to remember and celebrate the Newry singer and musician in an upcoming charity hike and quiz to raise much needed funds for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

A Mike Hike quiz night will take place this Wednesday in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry at 9pm, followed by the actual Mike Hike event on 5th September – a hike along the last 200 miles of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in northwestern Spain. The ten strong group tackling the world renowned pilgrimage route expect to be trekking for 14 days, at a rate of 15 miles per day.

Michael, a guitarist with popular Newry band, The Social Ions, passed away in October 2011 after battling cancer for over a year. Close friend, Adrian Barry who has organised the Mike Hike, paid tribute to Michael’s positivity and attitude throughout his illness and says the hike is about creating something positive out of every situation – something he says Michael did by bringing people together through his music, his kind hearted nature and sheer strength in the face of adversity.

Adrian feels the hike is an opportunity for everyone to be part of a team and share “an amazing experience” doing something that Michael himself was very keen to get involved in on behalf of the charity.

“The Mike Hike quiz is an opportunity for anyone who doesn’t want to participate in the event itself to get involved in the fundraising process” says Adrian.

“This has the potential to be an amazing experience for everyone involved and a great way to help fund treatments for young patients and give them the opportunity to reach their full potential. This charity does great work to aid the families of sufferers of cancer up to the age of 24. Most of us have been affected by cancer in some way and it is particularly difficult to see young children having to suffer with this affliction every day, so the money raised will provide them with at least some respite at the facilities provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.”

Adrian would like to extend his thanks to Michelle Murphy for organising the quiz night and to everyone who has contributed to the fundraising process so far, everyone taking part in the Mike Hike, sponsoring events and attending the various fundraising events.

Anyone wishing to donate to the worthy cause can do so via Wednesday’s quiz night as well as through the justgiving website http:/www.justgiving.com/Adrian-Barry. To follow the fundraising progress, like the facebook page The Mike Hike – 2013 or for further information contact Adrian at abarry251@hotmail.co.uk or tel 07845578570.